As part of its annual puppet festival, Little Angel Theatre is hosting Long Nosed Puppet’s performance of Shoe Baby, adapted from Joyce Dunbar’s rhyming picture book.
This charming 30 minute performance is aimed at children aged 2-5 years old. The performance is set on a traditional Castellet stage and begins with the baby who has chosen to live in a shoe, dancing with all the other shoes and boots in the cupboard. The baby uses that same shoe as sailing boat, car, plane, tea party venue and bed. He goes to sea, visits town and zoo, flies with the birds, entertains royalty and has an amazing dream. He meets some interesting people along the way, always greeting them with his only spoken words, ‘How do you do?’ Tom Gray’s original music and simple lyrics enhance the overall enjoyment.
His dream is interrupted by stomping & sobbing as full sized adult Giants appear, but all is well and there is a delightful feel-good ending.
There are a range of inventive puppets, from flamboyant boots in the beginning to the charmingly cute baby; the elephant and octopus were particularly well received. The colourful background changed with each scene and time devoted to each is well matched to the younger age group. I can report that the children were spellbound and were delighted with the disco ball stars that swept across the stage.
The quality of the puppetry and music capture the magic of the original book. There is something to delight both children and adults in this performance.
After the show there will be an opportunity to meet the puppets.
3 stars
Reviewed by Nina Gardner
Shoe Baby is showing at Little Angel Theatre 9th & 10th August 2025
Tickets and further information can be found at the link below
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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